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Russian Orthodox icon of the Transfiguration (Theophanes the Greek, ca. 1408).
Russian Orthodox icon of the Transfiguration (Theophanes the Greek, ca. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Theophanes the Greek (sometimes "Feofan Grek" from the Феофан Грек Greek: Θεοφάνης c 1408).

Theoria (Greek θεωρία) is Greek for contemplation or perception of beauty as a moral faculty (OED). The word Contemplation comes from the Latin root templum (from Greek temnein to cut or divide and means to separate something from its environment and to enclose it in a sector NOTICE TO WOULD-BE-ROMEOS*************** A moral is a message conveyed or a lesson to be learned from a story or event The Oxford English Dictionary ( OED) published by the Oxford University Press (OUP is a comprehensive Dictionary of the English From within Eastern Orthodox theology it is "the vision of God" and theoria then also takes on a number of meanings that pertain to union with God (theosis), (theo-) and holiness, the quintessential goals of Christianity (see the Philokalia). The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings The Philokalia ( Gk φιλοκαλείν "Love of the Beautiful" is a collection of texts by masters of the Eastern Orthodox, hesychast The love of beauty, transcending the love of wisdom, manifesting in the love of God (theophilos). The love of God ( divine love, theophilia) is a central notion in monotheistic, personal Conceptions of God. The vision of God being the culmination of Theophilos through hesychasm. The word has its origin in the Greek language as being akin to the word theory, or speculation as in "Beauty shall Save the World". The word theory has many distinct meanings in different fields of Knowledge, depending on their methodologies and the context of discussion. This expression of the idea comes from a religious gnosiology perspective (rather than say, a scientific or cultural one), that apperception through faith in God (action through faith), leads to truth through our contemplative faculties. The term gnosiology (μελέτη της γνώσης is derived from the Greek words Gnosis ('knowledge' γνώση and logos ('word' or Apperception (Latin ad + percipere, to perceive has the following meanings In Epistemology, it is "the introspective or reflective [1] It is used to express the experience of life as "one who watches a play or activity", the state of "being" is defined as spectator. Hence it means to focus ones attention exclusively to one thing and separate that object (by focus) exclusively, Beauty or God being the object of focus. The act of experiencing and or observing is through the nous or "eye of the soul". Nous (ˈnuːs Greek: or) is a philosophical term for Mind or Intellect. Matthew 6:22-6:34

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Ontological or Trinitarian Theology

The highest theoria is the experience by, the whole person, of the vision of God. In full nous called the 8th day, which is no internal or external world, no time, no space, the experience of God as infinite or limitless. Infinity (symbolically represented with ∞) comes from the Latin infinitas or "unboundedness God is beyond being (hyper-being) God is beyond nothingness (God is the origin of everything). This experience of God in hypostasis showing God's essence as incomprehensible or by definition God as uncreated. God being the origin but having no origin hence apophatic in essence, cataphatic in foundations or realities and energies. Cataphatic (sometimes spelled kataphatic theology is the expressing of God or the divine by what is or expressing God through positive terminology This ontic or ontological Theoria being the observation of God. In Philosophy, ontic (from the Greek όντος = part In Philosophy, ontology (from the Greek, genitive: of being (part [2]

False Spiritual Knowledge

Theoria does not manifest a false spiritual knowledge (and or incomplete spiritual knowledge) like knowledge akin to conjecture or speculation, that may be arrived at through rational thought (dianoia) or speculation (Stochastic and or dialectics)[3] . In Mathematics, a conjecture is a Mathematical statement which appears resourceful but has not been formally proven to be true under the rules of Speculation, in a financial context is making an investment that increases the overall risk in a portfolio Thought and thinking are mental forms and Processes respectively ("thought" is both Stochastic (from the Greek "Στόχος" for "aim" or "guess" means Random. In classical Philosophy, dialectic (διαλεκτική is controversy the exchange of arguments and counter-arguments respectively advocating Propositions False spiritual knowledge can also be iniquitous or of an evil origin being generated from an evil rather than Holy source. The most common false spiritual knowledge being derived not from an actual experience of God but from reading another person's experience of God. Then deriving one's own conclusions, and believing those conclusions as being equal to the actual experience knowledge (then causing conflict in interpretations). Hence theoria as the experience or Vision of God, silences all flesh.

Spiritual Somnolence

False spiritual knowledge leads to spiritual delusion (Russian prelest, Greek plani) which is the opposite of sobriety. Sobriety is solemn or dignified personal Behaviour, in particular Abstinence with regard to (typically the consumption of Alcoholic beverages or Sobriety meaning full consciousness and self-realization (enstasis) called true spiritual knowledge or true gnosis. Self-awareness is the concept that one exists as an individual separate from other people with private Thoughts. [4] Theoria is the highest consciousness (i. e. the whole person united to God as a relationship or process is called theosis). In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis Prelest or plani is the closing off or estrangement of the person to existence or Objective reality (what is real or truth), alienation being called amartía. This includes damaging or vilifying the nous. Since evil is by definition to turn mankind against it's creator (see misotheism). Evil, in many cultures is used to describe acts or thoughts which are contrary to some particular religion Misotheism is the "hatred of God " or "hatred of the Gods " (from the Greek adjective μισόθεος "hating the gods" a compound of Misotheism is the catalyst to separate mankind from nature or to vilify the various realities of ontology (ie the spiritual world and or the natural or material world). Reconciliation between God and man is arrived at by transcendence rather than transgression (magic). The Trinity is ontologically the basis of mankind's being or existence. In Philosophy, ontology (from the Greek, genitive: of being (part The Trinity is the creator of mankind's being via each component of mankind's existence (see also hypostasis). Mankind's components or energies of existence as such being: origin as nous (ex nihilo), inner experience or spiritual experience and finally, physical experience which is exemplified by Christ (logos or word) and his saints. The Latin phrase ex nihilo means "out of nothing" It often appears in conjunction with the concept of Creation, as in creatio ex nihilo grc-Latn Logos (ˈloʊːgɒs ( Greek, logos) is an important term in Philosophy, Analytical psychology, Rhetoric and Religion The following of false knowledge is marked by the symptom of somnolence or awake sleep and then later psychosis. Somnolence (or " drowsiness " is a state of near- Sleep, a strong desire for sleep or sleeping for unusually long periods (c Psychosis (from the Greek ψυχή "psyche" for mind or soul and -οσις "-osis" for abnormal condition with adjective psychotic [5]

False Ascetism or Cults

Once the stage of true discernment (diakrisis) is reached by the individual (called phronema) to where they are able to tell false from valid gnosis this is referred to as wisdom or sophia. Phronema is a Greek term that is used in Eastern Orthodox Theology to refer to mindset or outlook; it is the Orthodox mind. Sophia is cultivated by humility (kenosis) and mortification ("In remembrance of Death") against thymos (ego) and the passions. Kenosis is a Greek word for Emptiness, which is used as a theological term Memento mori is a Latin phrase that may be translated as "Remember that you are mortal" "Remember you will die" "Remember that you must Thumos (also commonly spelled "thymos" (Greek θυμος) is an Ancient Greek word expressing the concept of " Spiritedness " Id, ego, and super-ego are the three parts of the " Psychic apparatus " defined in Sigmund Freud 's structural model of Stoic Passions refers to various forms of emotional suffering in Stoicism, a school of Hellenistic philosophy The passions and the ego in Orthodox asceticism are referred to as the World. World is a key concept in Theology. Christian views on the World In Christianity, the concept connotes the fallen and corrupt world Asceticism being dead to the passions and the ego and therefore dead to the world. Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid. The highest wisdom, holy wisdom or Hagia Sophia being cultivated by humility or meekness akin to that personified by the Theotokos and all of the saints that came after her and the Christ (collectively referred to as the ecclesia or church). Sophia (Σoφíα Greek for " Wisdom " is a central term in Hellenistic philosophy and religion, Platonism, Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Αγία Σοφία " Holy Wisdom " Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia) is a former patriarchal Basilica, later Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, This community of unbroken witnesses being the Orthodox Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world God is beyond the fallen human mind or unclean nous which is the intuitive mind and or rational mind (called dianoia) both of which are part of the nous, heart or eye of the soul. Nous (ˈnuːs Greek: or) is a philosophical term for Mind or Intellect. God is beyond knowledge and as such can only be experienced in his hypostasises through faith. False ascetism leading not to reconciliation with God and or existence, but toward a false existence based on rebellion to existence. [6]

True Spiritual Knowledge

Theoria is beyond knowledge or gnosis. Gnosis (from one of the Greek words for Knowledge, γνώσις is the spiritual knowledge of a Saint or mystically enlightened human being [7] It is when the mind is placed in the heart (kardio) and the nous is focused on the immediacy or immanence of the Trinity of God rather than foresight (freewill and faith) and rather than hindsight (determinism and knowledge). Immanence, derived from the Latin in manere "to remain within" refers to philosophical and metaphysical theories of the divine as existing and acting within the mind Hindsight bias is the inclination to see events that have occurred as more predictable than they in fact were before they took place Determinism is the philosophical Proposition that every event including human cognition and behaviour decision and action is causally determined It is much like the difference between reading about an experience and reading about an experience one has already experienced. Thus theoria is an expression of the latter, and is deeply focussed on the 'now', the 'immediate', the 'present'. Theoria is akin to acting by freewill and by conscious choice rather than deterministically. The question of free will It holds that, one moves through time into the future without knowing, but that we proceed by faith (faith is meta-gnosis or beyond knowledge). Theoria means placing the actual experience above recollection of an experience (Anamnesis) or memory, knowledge of the experience (gnosis). Anamnesis (ἀνάμνησις = "recollection reminiscence" is a term used in Medicine, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis and Gnosis (from one of the Greek words for Knowledge, γνώσις is the spiritual knowledge of a Saint or mystically enlightened human being As it is the contemplation of the present while in the present rather than the past or future, it is ultimately the experience of the hypostasises of God. Or in other words, Theoria means primacy of observation over rational analysis (Orthodox Empirical theology). A central concept in Science and the Scientific method is that all Evidence must be empirical, or empirically based that is dependent on evidence This illumination as photismos, a light that permeates all things and is without source, a light that illuminates not only the physical world but also the darkness within mankind, this light is also called the Tabor light. In Eastern Orthodox theology, the Tabor Light (also Light of Tabor, Tabor's Light, Taboric Light; Greek: Φῶς του Θαβώρ In Eastern Orthodox theology, the Tabor Light (also Light of Tabor, Tabor's Light, Taboric Light; Greek: Φῶς του Θαβώρ The Trinity who, in essence is incomprehensible the trinities' being or essence or substance is not obtainable or knowable (or it would not truly be incomprehensible). Negative theology - also known as the Via Negativa ( Latin for "Negative Way" and Apophatic theology - is a Theology that As the Trinity is the three realities of the single God at once. Each reality or hypostasis critical to the ontology of being (ousia) and or existence (hypostasis). [8]

Orthodox theology

Icon of the Transfiguration
Icon of the Transfiguration

Alexandrian tradition of theoria

It is the knowledge of God in creation and of sensible things and thus their contemplation intellectually to the Origen or Alexandrian school of thought (150-400AD) (see Clement of Alexandria, Origen and Evagrius Ponticus) which then leads to communion with God akin to Divine Providence. The word Contemplation comes from the Latin root templum (from Greek temnein to cut or divide and means to separate something from its environment and to enclose it in a sector Saint Clement of Alexandria (born Titus Flavius Clemens) (c150 - 211/216 was the first notable member of the Church of Alexandria, and one of its most Origen ( Greek: Ōrigénēs, or Origen Adamantius, ca 185–ca Evagrius Ponticus, or Evagrius the Solitary (345-399 AD was a Christian monk and ascetic In Theology, Divine Providence, or simply Providence, is the sovereignty superintendence or agency of God over events in people's lives and throughout

Cappadocian tradition of theoria

To the Cappadocian school of thought (see Saint Basil, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, and Saint Gregory Nazianzus) (350-400AD) theoria is the experience of the highest or absolute truth when one is in complete union with God. Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great (c 330 – January 1, 379) (Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας Latin Gregory of Nyssa ( Greek: Άγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης Latin: Gregorius Nyssenus; Arabic: غريغوريوس النيصي Gregory of Nazianzus (329 – January 25 389) (also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen) was a 4th-century Archbishop It is entering the 'Cloud of Unknowing' which is beyond rational understanding, and can be embraced only in love (Agape or Awe). Agapē (ˈægəpiː ( Gk αγάπη) is one of several Greek words translated into English as love. The Cappadocian fathers went beyond the intellectual contemplation of the Alexandrian fathers. This was to begin with the seminal work Philokalia, which through hesychasm leads to Phronema and finally theosis which is validated by theoria. The Philokalia ( Gk φιλοκαλείν "Love of the Beautiful" is a collection of texts by masters of the Eastern Orthodox, hesychast Hesychasm ( Greek hesychasmos, from hesychia, "stillness rest quiet silence" is an Eremitic tradition of Prayer in Phronema is a Greek term that is used in Eastern Orthodox Theology to refer to mindset or outlook; it is the Orthodox mind. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis One must move beyond gnosis to faith (meta-gnosis). Through ignorance one moves beyond knowledge and being, this contemplation being theoria. Theoria means understanding that the Uncreated can not be grasped by the logical or rational mind, but rather only by the whole person (unity between the heart and mind) this perception is by the nous. Nous (ˈnuːs Greek: or) is a philosophical term for Mind or Intellect.

Dionysius the Areopagite's Apophatism

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With the tradition of St Dionysus the Areopagite theoria is the lifting up of the individual out of time and space and created being (see ekstasis) while the Triune God reaches down (or condescends) to the hesychast. Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents This is a general introduction to ecumenical councils For the Roman Catholic councils, see Catholic Ecumenical Councils. The Christianization of Bulgaria was the process of converting 9th-century medieval Bulgaria to Christianity. The Christianization of Kievan Rus' took place in several stages The East-West Schism, or the Great Schism, divided medieval Christendom into Eastern (Greek and Western (Latin branches which later became known as the See also Christianity in Asia Judging from the New Testament account of the rise and expansion of the early church during the first few centuries of Christianity the Coptic history is part of History of Egypt that begins with the introduction of Christianity in Egypt in the 1st century AD during the The Eastern Orthodox Churches trace their roots back to the Apostles and Jesus Christ. Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle This article should include material from Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the History of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria Apostolic foundation Egypt is identified in the Bible as the place of refuge that the The Armenian Apostolic Church (Հայաստանեայց Առաքելական Եկեղեցի Hayasdaneaytz Arakelagan Syriac Christianity is a culturally and linguistically distinctive community within Eastern Christianity. The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church is an Oriental Orthodox church. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (in transliterated Amharic: Yäityop'ya ortodoks täwahedo bétäkrestyan) is an Oriental The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East (ܥܕܬܐ ܩܕܝܫܬܐ ܘܫܠܝܚܝܬܐ ܩܬܘܠܝܩܝ ܕܡܕܢܚܐ ܕܐܬܘܪ̈ܝܐ ‘Ittā Qaddishtā wa-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See The Sign of the Cross, or Signum crucis in Latin is a ritual hand motion made by members of many but not all branches of Christianity. The Divine Liturgy is the common term for the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. Iconography is the branch of Art history which studies the identification description and the interpretation of the content of images Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid. In the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic liturgical tradition the omophorion ( Greek:; Slavonic: омофоръ omofor) Hesychasm ( Greek hesychasmos, from hesychia, "stillness rest quiet silence" is an Eremitic tradition of Prayer in An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Negative theology - also known as the Via Negativa ( Latin for "Negative Way" and Apophatic theology - is a Theology that Filioque, a Latin phrase meaning "and (from the Son" In Western Christianity, it was added to the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed Miaphysitism (sometimes called henophysitism) is the Christology of the Oriental Orthodox Churches Monophysitism (from the Greek monos meaning 'one alone' and physis meaning 'nature' or Monophysiticism is the Christological position that Nestorius Nestorius (c  386 &ndashc  451) was a pupil of Theodore of Mopsuestia in Antioch in Syria (modern In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis Phronema is a Greek term that is used in Eastern Orthodox Theology to refer to mindset or outlook; it is the Orthodox mind. The Philokalia ( Gk φιλοκαλείν "Love of the Beautiful" is a collection of texts by masters of the Eastern Orthodox, hesychast Praxis is the customary use of knowledge or skills distinct from theoretical knowledge Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Ousia () is the Ancient Greek noun formed on the feminine present participle of ( to be) it is analogous to the English participle Historical context The Energies of God are a central principle of Theology in the Eastern Orthodox Church, understood by the orthodox Fathers Metousiosis is a Greek term () that means literally a change of (essence inner reality Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, also known as Pseudo-Denys, is the anonymous theologian and philosopher of the late 5th to early 6th century whose Corpus Areopagiticum Ecstasy, (or ekstasis) from the Ancient Greek, έκ-στασις (ex-stasis" to be or stand outside oneself a removal to elsewhere (from ex- Hesychasm ( Greek hesychasmos, from hesychia, "stillness rest quiet silence" is an Eremitic tradition of Prayer in The individual is brought into the presence of the hypostasises of God in what is called the 8th day. One cultivates the highest form of contemplation and the experience of the 8th day by attending the Orthodox liturgical services. The services being the applications of the sacraments and the person's perspective being one of sincere mortification. Memento mori is a Latin phrase that may be translated as "Remember that you are mortal" "Remember you will die" "Remember that you must Memento mori being salvation through, the grace or acceptance of God, in death. This liturgical experience is the only way for a human being to attain the true knowledge of the living God, by the living person. This experience is the vision of God or theoria to the apophatic theology of the St. Dionysian tradition within Eastern Orthodoxy. Again God can be known in his immanence (kataphatic) realities but not in God's apophatic or transcendent essence, since God is uncreated in his essence or being. Cataphatic (sometimes spelled kataphatic theology is the expressing of God or the divine by what is or expressing God through positive terminology [9]

St Macarius of Egypt

In the theological tradition of St Macarius of Egypt (ca. Macarius of Egypt (ca 300-391 was an Egyptian Christian monk and Hermit. 300-391AD), theoria is the point of interaction between God and the Human Person in the heart of the person (manifesting in spiritual gifts to the human heart); this interaction is beyond rationalistic contemplation. The highest form of contemplation (agape) originates in the heart, a form of contemplation that is higher than that of the intellectual mind. [10] What is consistent is the concept that Theoria is alloted to each unique individual by their capacity to comprehend God. This also being the tradition of theoria as taught by St Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022AD) that one can not be a theologian unless one sees the hypostasises of God or the uncreated light which would be to have theoria. Symeon the New Theologian (949&ndash1022 is the latest of three Saints of the Eastern Orthodox church to have been given the title of Theologian thus In Eastern Orthodox theology, the Tabor Light (also Light of Tabor, Tabor's Light, Taboric Light; Greek: Φῶς του Θαβώρ For saints such an experience cultivates humility and meekness in people and most of all the love of the human race that the Triune God has (hence like God or Godlike, theosis). In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis This burning love (invisible fire) for humanity is manifest in absolute kindness and love for their neighbor akin to selfless agape or love, growing from mortification, kenosis and or Epiclesis. Agapē (ˈægəpiː ( Gk αγάπη) is one of several Greek words translated into English as love. Memento mori is a Latin phrase that may be translated as "Remember that you are mortal" "Remember you will die" "Remember that you must Kenosis is a Greek word for Emptiness, which is used as a theological term In most Christian churches the epiclesis (also sometimes spelled epiklesis, since it is a transliterated Greek word is that part of the This love or agape (invisible, Holy fire) is the essence of Orthodoxy. [11]

The Hesychast controversy

Under St Gregory Palamas (1296 - 1359AD) the different traditions of theoria where synthesized into an understanding of theoria as meaning that through baptism one receives the Holy Spirit. Saint Gregory Palamas (Γρηγόριος Παλαμάς (1296 - 1359 was a monk of Mount Athos in Greece and later the Archbishop of Through participating in the sacraments of the Church and performing works of faith one cultivates a relationship with God. If one then through willful submission to God is devotional (becomes humble) akin to the Theotokos (and saints) and proceeds in faith past the point of rational contemplation one can experience God. Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Palamas stated that this way was not a mechanized process as each person is unique, but that the apodictic way that one experiences the uncreated light or God was through contemplative prayer called hesychasm. In Eastern Orthodox theology, the Tabor Light (also Light of Tabor, Tabor's Light, Taboric Light; Greek: Φῶς του Θαβώρ Hesychasm ( Greek hesychasmos, from hesychia, "stillness rest quiet silence" is an Eremitic tradition of Prayer in Theoria is cultivated through each of the steps of the growing process of theosis. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis It is important to note that Palamas taught that the truth is a person (Jesus Christ) which means a form of objective reality. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) In order for a Christian to be authentic he/she must experience the Truth i. e. Christ, as real and in person (see hypostasis). The only true way to experience Christ, according to Palamas, was the Eastern Orthodox faith. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Once a person discovers Christ (through the Orthodox church) they begin the process of theosis which is the gradual submission to the Truth i. e. God (see mortification and asceticism) in order to be deified (theosis). For the Christian metal band see Mortification (band. For the record label see Mortification Records. Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis Theoria then is seen to be the experience of God hypostatically (in person). However, since the essence of God is unknowable the essence of God is not able to be experienced. Ousia () is the Ancient Greek noun formed on the feminine present participle of ( to be) it is analogous to the English participle Ousia () is the Ancient Greek noun formed on the feminine present participle of ( to be) it is analogous to the English participle Palamis expressed theoria as an experience of God as it happens to the whole person (soul or nous) not just the mind or body, in contrast to an experience of God that is drawn from memory, the mind and or in time (experience) i. Nous (ˈnuːs Greek: or) is a philosophical term for Mind or Intellect. e. gnosis. Gnosis (from one of the Greek words for Knowledge, γνώσις is the spiritual knowledge of a Saint or mystically enlightened human being [12][13] Gnosis here as experience and self awareness knowledge (spiritual knowledge), theoria as the actual experience (the vision of God or to see God) in itself. [14] The experience of God in the 8th day or outside of time therefore beyond or transcending, self and or experience knowledge (gnosis). [15] Gnosis here is most importantly understood as a knowledge of oneself, theoria is the experience of God past or over the knowledge of oneself. [16]

Theological Issues between Eastern Christianity and Western Christianity

In the Eastern Christian traditions theoria is the most critical component needed for a person to be considered a theologian (it is not necessary for ones salvation per se). [17] Theoria as being with God,[18] God in Eastern Christianity being the one thing that mankind truly desires the most,[19] that which is infinite (apophatic or transcendent) and also personal and real (cataphatic or immanence). Cataphatic (sometimes spelled kataphatic theology is the expressing of God or the divine by what is or expressing God through positive terminology Immanence, derived from the Latin in manere "to remain within" refers to philosophical and metaphysical theories of the divine as existing and acting within the mind An experience of God being necessary to the spiritual and mental health of each human being. [20][21] Theosis is expressed as having "Being with God" and a relationship (God is Heaven, God is the Kingdom of Heaven) that is infinite and unending, glory to glory. [22] Since God is transcendent (incomprehensible in ousia, essence or being) the West has over emphasized the point by qualifying logical arguments that God can not be experienced in this life. Ousia () is the Ancient Greek noun formed on the feminine present participle of ( to be) it is analogous to the English participle [23] This criteria is at the very heart of many theological conflicts between Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Western Christianity which is seen to culminate in the conflict over Hesychasm. Hesychasm ( Greek hesychasmos, from hesychia, "stillness rest quiet silence" is an Eremitic tradition of Prayer in [24] This is expressed in the idea that Western theology is too dependent of logic and reason (culminating in scholasticism used to validate truth, and the existence of God which it can not completely do) over establishing an actual relationship with God (theosis and theoria). In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis [25] Another such example that is often used in Eastern Christianity is the example of St Augustine. From the works of Saint Augustine it is apparent to Eastern theologians that though a Saint, Augustine did not have theoria and many of his theological conclusions appear to be arrived at not from experiencing God and writing about his experience(s) of God. Augustines conclusions appear to be arrived at by means of logical speculation and conjecture. [26] Hence Augustine is still revered as a Saint, but does not qualify as a theologian in the Eastern Orthodox church. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Some of Augustine's Trinitarian conclusions appear to immanentize characteristics of theology which would be improper treatment of those things divine. Immanence, derived from the Latin in manere "to remain within" refers to philosophical and metaphysical theories of the divine as existing and acting within the mind This toward Eastern theologians who inlight of their experiences would articulate their expressions of those things differently (ie the inner relationship of the realities of God in Trinity). [27]. Finally the theological concept of hell or eternal damnation also via theoria is expressed completely different in the West. Hell, according to many Religious beliefs, is a location in the Afterlife, which may be described as a place of suffering Hell in the West is damnation as a place, this being taught most explicitly in Dante's classic work Inferno. The Divine Comedy The East teaches that hell or eternal damnation and heaven are the same place, which is being with God. For one who hates God (see Misotheism) such a place as in the presence of God, will be eternal suffering. Misotheism is the "hatred of God " or "hatred of the Gods " (from the Greek adjective μισόθεος "hating the gods" a compound of [28]

It should be noted that the works of Dionysius the Areopagite were well known in the West following their translation into Latin by John Scotus Eriugena in the 9th century and strongly influenced Western Chritistian mystics, including such figures as St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross. For other saints with similar names please see Saint Teresa. Saint Teresa of Ávila, known in religion as Saint Teresa of Jesus and For another saint who lived around the same time and area see John of Avila.

Eastern Orthodox tradition

Theoria appears in a variety of contexts.

St Symeon the New Theologian Philokalia Vol. 4

Theoria in western traditions

See also: beatific vision

Theoria covers a broad range of inherent Western Christian concepts that are treated separately in Catholic tradition. In Roman Catholic Theology, the beatific vision is the eternal and direct perception of God enjoyed by those who are in Heaven, imparting supreme Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church These concepts include:

There is no conclusive term in common use in the Western tradition, but like the Eastern tradition everything is rooted in the universal Christian understanding that the risen Christ lives in us and that we participate in His life.

See also

Quotes

'We ought at all times to wait for the enlightenment that comes from above before we speak with a faith energized by love; for the illumination which will enable us to speak. Eastern Orthodox Christian theology is the Theology particular to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Theophany, from the Greek, theophaneia (meaning "appearance/showing of God" refers to the appearance of a Deity to a human or to a divine disclosure Sobornost (Russian definition Spiritual community of many jointly living people Aseity is a theological term referring to the characteristic of being un-derived (from Latin a "from" and se "self" plus -ity Diodore of Tarsus ( Greek Διόδωρος (d ca 390 was a Christian Bishop, a monastic reformer and a theologian. Praxis is the customary use of knowledge or skills distinct from theoretical knowledge John S Romanides (1928–2001 was a Greek Orthodox Priest and Professor who for a long time represented the Greek Church to the World Council of Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky ( November 7 1888 &ndash November 4 1988) was a Russian theologian Archimandrite Sophrony (Sakharov ( 23 September 1896 – 12 July 1993) also Elder Sophrony, was best known as the disciple and biographer John Meyendorff ( February 17, 1926 - July 22, 1992) was a modern Orthodox scholar writer and teacher The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported by the Synoptic Gospels in which Jesus is transfigured upon a mountain (,) Venerable Ambrose of Optina ( Russian: преподобный Амвросий Оптинский name at birth Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Grenkov - Александр The Holy Fire ( Greek Ἃγιον Φῶς "Holy Light" is a Miracle The concept of tacit knowing comes from scientist and philosopher Michael Polanyi. Deontological ethics or deontology (from Greek grc δέον deon, "obligation duty" and grc -λογία -logia) is an For there is nothing so destitute as a mind philosophising about God, when it is without Him'. " Of "Spiritual Knowledge" Discourse number 7 Philokalia volume 1 pg 254 — St Diadochos of Photiki

"Unless the heart be cleansed it is impossible to attain real contemplation. The Philokalia ( Gk φιλοκαλείν "Love of the Beautiful" is a collection of texts by masters of the Eastern Orthodox, hesychast Saint Diadochos of Photiki was a fifth century Ascetic whose work is included in the Philokalia. Only a heart purified of passion is capable of that peculiar awe and wonder before God which stills the nous into joyful silence. " Archimandrite Sophrony

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Saint Symeon the New Theologian On Faith Palmer, G. E. H; Sherrard, Philip; Ware, Kallistos (Timothy). The Philokalia, Vol. 4
  2. ^ http://www.pelagia.org/htm/b02.en.orthodox_psychotherapy.06.htm#2k
  3. ^ "Those who speak from their own thoughts, before having acquired purity, are seduced by the spirit of self-esteem. " St. Gregory of Sinai
  4. ^ *History of Russian Philosophy «История российской Философии »(1951) by N. O. Lossky section on V. Lossky pg400 Publisher: Allen & Unwin, London ASIN: B000H45QTY International Universities Press Inc NY, NY ISBN-13: 978-0823680740 sponsored by Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
  5. ^ Orthodox Psychotherapy by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos published by Birth of Theotokos Monastery,Greece (January 1, 2005) ISBN-13: 978-9607070272
  6. ^ History of Russian Philosophy «История российской Философии »(1951) by N. Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary is an Orthodox Christian Seminary located in Crestwood New York in the United States. O. Lossky section on N. O. Lossky's philosophy pg262 "There is another kind of selfishness which violates the hierarchy of values much more: some agents who strive for perfection and the absolute fullness of being and even for the good of the whole world are determined to do it in their own way, so that they should occupy the first place and stand higher than all other beings and even the Lord God himself. Pride is the ruling passion of such beings. Pride is a lofty view of one's self or one's own Pride often manifests itself as a high opinion of one's Nation (national pride Ethnicity (ethnic pride or appearance They enter into rivalry with God, thinking that they are capable of ordering the world better than its Creator. Pursing an impossible aim, they suffer defeat at every step and begin to hate God. Misotheism is the "hatred of God " or "hatred of the Gods " (from the Greek adjective μισόθεος "hating the gods" a compound of This is what Satan does. Selfishness separates us from God in so far as we put before us purposes incompatible with God's will that the world should be perfect. In the same way selfishness separates an agent in a greater or lesser degree from other agents: his aims and actions cannot be harmonized with the actions of other beings and often lead to hostility and mutual opposition.
  7. ^ V Lossky Vision of God pg 123 "Knowledge is limited to what exists: now, as the cause of all being(The Divine Names, I, 1, col. 588) or rather He is superior to all oppositions between being and non-being.
  8. ^ This means that it is only when a person is within the revelation, as all the saints lived, that he can grasp this understanding completely (see theoria). The second presupposition is that mankind has and is composed of nous, word and spirit like the trinitarian mode of being. Man's nous, word and spirit are not hypostases or individual existences or realities, but activities or energies of the soul. Were as in the case with God or the Persons of the Holy Trinity each are indeed hypostases. So these three components of each individual man are `inseparable from one another' but they do not have a personal character" when in speaking of the being that is mankind. The nous as the eye of the soul, which some Fathers also call the heart, is the center of man and is where true (spiritual) knowledge is validated. This is seen as true knowledge which is "implanted in the nous as always co-existing with it". Orthodox Psychotherapy by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos published by Birth of Theotokos Monastery,Greece (January 1, 2005) ISBN-13: 978-9607070272
  9. ^ V Lossky Vision of God pg 123 "Knowledge is limited to what exists: now, as the cause of all being, God does not exist (The Divine Names, I, 1, col. 588) or rather He is superior to all oppositions between being and non-being.
  10. ^ The vision of God By V Lossky page 106 page 113
  11. ^ *The Macarian Legacy: The Place of Macarius-Symeon in the Eastern Christian Tradition (Oxford Theological Monographs 2004) by Marcus Plested (ISBN-10: 0199267790)
  12. ^ V Lossky Vision of God pg 162-163
  13. ^ The vision of the uncreated light, which offers knowledge of God to man, is sensory and supra-sensory. The bodily eyes are reshaped, so they see the uncreated light, "this mysterious light, inaccessible, immaterial, uncreated, deifying, eternal", this "radiance of the Divine Nature, this glory of the divinity, this beauty of the heavenly kingdom" (3,1,22;CWS p. 80). Palamas asks: "Do you see that light is inaccessible to senses which are not transformed by the Spirit?" (2,3,22). St. Maximus, whose teaching is cited by St. Gregory, says that the Apostles saw the uncreated Light "by a transformation of the activity of their senses, produced in them by the Spirit" (2. 3. 22). Orthodox Psychotherapy Section The Knowledge of God according to St. Gregory Palamas by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos published by Birth of Theotokos Monastery,Greece (January 1, 2005) ISBN-13: 978-9607070272
  14. ^ V Lossky Vision of God pg 162-163
  15. ^ History of Russian Philosophy By N. O. Lossky section on V. Lossky
  16. ^ Ecstasy comes when, in prayer, the nous abandons every connection with created things: first "with everything evil and bad, then with neutral things" (2,3,35;CWS p. 65). Ecstasy is mainly withdrawal from the opinion of the world and the flesh. With sincere prayer the nous "abandons all created things" (2,3,35;CWS p. 65). This ecstasy is higher than abstract theology, that is, than rational theology, and it belongs only to those who have attained dispassion. But it is not yet union. That is to say, the ecstasy which is unceasing prayer of the nous, in which one's nous has continuous remembrance of God and has no relation with the `world of sin' is not yet union with God. This union comes about when the Paraclete "illuminates from on high the man who attains in prayer the stage which is superior to the highest natural possibilities and who is awaiting the promise of the Father, and by His revelation ravishes him to the contemplation of the light" (2,3,35;CWS p. 65). Illumination by God is what shows His union with man. Orthodox Psychotherapy Section The Knowledge of God according to St. Gregory Palamas by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos published by Birth of Theotokos Monastery,Greece (January 1, 2005) ISBN-13: 978-9607070272
  17. ^ The Vision of God, SVS Press, 1997. (ISBN 0-913836-19-2)
  18. ^ The Vision of God, SVS Press, 1997. (ISBN 0-913836-19-2)
  19. ^ Value and Existence «Ценность и существование»(1931) by Nikolai Lossky and John S. Nikolai Onufriyevich Lossky (Николай Онуфриевич Лосский ( – January 24, 1965) was a Russian philosopher representative of Marshall published by George Allen & Unwin LTD, 1935 pg 56-61
  20. ^ FRANKS, ROMANS, FEUDALISM, AND DOCTRINE/Diagnosis and Therapy Father John S. Romanides Diagnosis and Therapy http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.03.en.franks_romans_feudalism_and_doctrine.02.htm#s8
  21. ^ Knowledge of God, as will be explained further on, is not intellectual, but existential. That is, one's whole being is filled with this knowledge of God. But in order to attain it, one's heart must have been purified, that is, the soul, nous and heart must have been healed. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matt. 5,8). http://www.pelagia.org/htm/b02.en.orthodox_psychotherapy.06.htm#2k Orthodox Psychotherapy Section The Knowledge of God according to St. Gregory Palamas by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos published by Birth of Theotokos Monastery,Greece (January 1, 2005) ISBN-13: 978-9607070272
  22. ^ From Glory to Glory: Texts from Gregory of Nyssa's Mystical Writings Publisher: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press ISBN-10: 0913836540 ISBN-13: 978-0913836545
  23. ^ At the heart of Barlaam’s teaching is the significant idea that God cannot truly be perceived by man; that God the Transcendent can never be wholly known by man the created and finite. http://www.monachos.net/library/Gregory_Palamas:_Knowledge,_Prayer,_and_Vision
  24. ^ FRANKS, ROMANS, FEUDALISM, AND DOCTRINE Part 2
  25. ^ FRANKS, ROMANS, FEUDALISM, AND DOCTRINE/EMPIRICAL THEOLOGY VERSUS SPECULATIVE THEOLOGY Father John S. Romanides http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.03.en.franks_romans_feudalism_and_doctrine.02.htm And, indeed, the Franks believed that the prophets and apostles did not see God himself, except possibly with the exception of Moses and Paul. What the prophets and apostles allegedly did see and hear were phantasmic symbols of God, whose purpose was to pass on concepts about God to human reason. Whereas these symbols passed into and out of existence, the human nature of Christ is a permanent reality and the best conveyor of concepts about God.
  26. ^ FRANKS, ROMANS, FEUDALISM, AND DOCTRINE/EMPIRICAL THEOLOGY VERSUS SPECULATIVE THEOLOGY Father John S. Romanides http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.03.en.franks_romans_feudalism_and_doctrine.02.htm A basic characteristic of the Frankish scholastic method, mislead by Augustinian Platonism and Thomistic Aristotelianism, had been its naive confidence in the objective existence of things rationally speculated about. By following Augustine, the Franks substituted the patristic concern for spiritual observation, (which they had found firmly established in Gaul when they first conquered the area) with a fascination for metaphysics. They did not suspect that such speculations had foundations neither in created nor in spiritual reality. No one would today accept as true what is not empirically observable, or at least verifiable by inference, from an attested effect. So it is with patristic theology. Dialectical speculation about God and the Incarnation as such are rejected. Only those things which can be tested by the experience of the grace of God in the heart are to be accepted. "Be not carried about by divers and strange teachings. For it is good that the heart be confirmed by grace," a passage from Hebrews 13. 9, quoted by the Fathers to this effect.
  27. ^ Gregory’s (Palamas) view should not be seen to undermine a positive view of philosophical thought as a whole, which was a continual accusation made by Barlaam. Taken as a tool for the progression of the human person towards a state receptive to divine grace, Gregory saw philosophy and discursive knowledge as a perfectly reasonable set of aids for the Christian. It was only when philosophy, whose created end is the furtherance of knowledge of God, was misused by the philosophers and turned, in effect, into God, that Gregory raised his voice in ardent opposition. http://www.monachos.net/library/Gregory_Palamas:_Knowledge,_Prayer,_and_Vision
  28. ^ Man has a malfunctioning or non-functioning noetic faculty in the heart, and it is the task especially of the clergy to apply the cure of unceasing memory of God, otherwise called unceasing prayer or illumination. Proper preparation for vision of God takes place in two stages: purification, and illumination of the noetic faculty. Without this, it is impossible for man's selfish love to be transformed into selfless love. This transformation takes place during the higher level of the stage of illumination called theoria, literally meaning vision-in this case vision by means of unceasing and uninterrupted memory of God. Those who remain selfish and self-centered with a hardened heart, closed to God's love, will not see the glory of God in this life. However, they will see God's glory eventually, but as an eternal and consuming fire and outer darkness. FRANKS, ROMANS, FEUDALISM, AND DOCTRINE/Diagnosis and Therapy Father John S. Romanides Diagnosis and Therapy http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.03.en.franks_romans_feudalism_and_doctrine.02.htm#s8

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